Disposable capsule for machines for the dispensing of infused beverages

Abstract

A disposable capsule useful in beverage machines is disclosed. The capsule includes a cup-shaped, hollow body which holds a dose of product. The hollow body has an opening in the bottom and a flange seal on the peripheral edge of a peripheral wall. A film is applied on the bottom inside the hollow body to seal the opening. An insert is housed in the hollow body having a frustum-conical disk-like portion in whose mantle a plurality of through openings are formed and in whose cavity punching elements are formed, and a stem axially extending from the top of the frustum-conical disk-like portion. The insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position and an opening position. The frustum-conical, disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and the stem presses against the cover deforming it outwardly, and an opening position. The free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with the flange and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom with the punching elements tearing the inner film.

1 . A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages, said capsule comprising:
 i) a cup-shaped, hollow body adapted to receive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, said hollow body comprising a bottom wherein a through opening is formed and a peripheral wall on whose peripheral edge a flange is formed;   ii) a cover sealingly fixed on said flange;   iii) a film applied on said bottom inside the hollow body so as to seal said through opening; and   iv) an insert housed in said hollow body, said insert comprising a frustum-conical disk-like portion in whose mantle a plurality of through openings are formed and in whose cavity punching elements are formed, and a stem axially extending from the top of said frustum-conical disk-like portion,   
       wherein the insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein said frustum-conical, disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and said stem presses against said cover deforming it outwardly, and an opening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with said flange, and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and said punching elements interfere with the inner film thus tearing it and wherein the insert further comprises a cup-shaped, liquid impermeable element housed in the body of the capsule in a seat formed close to its flanged edge, said cup-shaped element comprising a central hole wherein the stem is slidably fitted. 
     
     
         2 . The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem and the hole of the cup-shaped element have the same diameter, so that they achieve a tight coupling in the assembly or packaging position, and wherein the stem comprises an end portion having a cross-section of reduced surface area, said end portion protruding from the hole in the assembly or packaging position. 
     
     
         3 . A The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein said end portion of the stem is made up of a plurality of radial ribs that define cavities through which an infusion liquid can flow when the insert is in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . A The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein said end portion of the stem comprises a plurality of radial grooves. 
     
     
         5 . A The capsule according to  claim 2 , wherein said end portion of the stem has a frustum shape. 
     
     
         6 . A The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the frustum-conical, disk-like portion of the insert in the non-deformed assembly or packaging condition is lower than the diameter of the bottom of the capsule body. 
     
     
         7 . A The capsule according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of circumferential grooves are formed in low relief in the mantle of the frustum-conical disk-like portion of the insert